[Bups-dis] Ethical Egoism

[Ronald King]

Hello Ashley,
This is the sort of problem that keeps on cropping up. From a philosophical point of view we can envisage and define both perfect altruism and ethical egoism so both may be possible. 

To my mind, if a person is making a decision about a course of action then that person will always take into account her own interests. How much weight is placed on 'own interests' will depend on many factors. This however is a problem in psychology not philosophy. Gut feeling needs to be backed up by evidence.

As to the religious aspects; by dictionary definition and in the Christian tradition God, if God exists, is that which created and rules the universe. Christians think of Jesus as God and of the universe as everything except God. However Jesus, as God made man, is part of the universe. Thus God is intimately involved in the universe. Any move by God involving the universe, which includes mankind, affects God. Altruism is therefore impossible for Jesus.

This puts me in mind of the words of John Donne,
    " Each man's death diminishes me for I am involved in
       mankind.
        Therefore do not ask for whom the bell tolls,
        It tolls for thee."

Highest Regards,

Ron King